Striving to grow their mutual relationship with one another, there’s no denying that LG is planning to bank a huge success with their line of new Android devices for T-Mobile USA – which inevitably would solidify their position with the carrier. Considering that LG’s presence on T-Mobile’s postpaid lineup is still relatively new, especially when it was only last summer that we saw the first set of LG phones arrive on T-Mobile’s lineup, it’s going to be interesting to say the least how things will develop now that Big Magenta is finally in the game with an Android 3.0 Honeycomb tablet made by LG.

Conveniently, LG manages to seduce the carrier to bring its tablet aboard, the T-Mobile G-Slate, thanks to its unique novel feature of being able to shoot high-definition 720p videos in 3D. Of course, it’s very easy for anyone to say that this is a brash move to capitalize on the 3D hysteria sweeping the tech world, but it’s nonetheless something that will keep it differentiated enough from the pack – for now. Meanwhile, it’s riding onto the scene at a time when tablet competition, even within the Android camp, is beginning to become fierce as each attempt to outgun the other.

Flaunting a sticker price of $529.99 with a 2-year contract, the T-Mobile G-Slate has the slight pricing edge against its closest Android brethren in the Motorola XOOM, but will its novel feature of shooting 3D videos be enough to warrant even a pique interest from demanding consumers?

The package contains:

T-Mobile G-Slate

microUSB Cable

Wall Charger

microUSB to USB adapter

Product Information & Warranty Guide

Terms & Conditions

3D anaglyph style glasses

Design:

Not surprising one bit at all, there’s nothing original about the G-Slate’s design, but when you think about it more, it’s rather hard to find much variety with the slate form factor of tablets. In reality though, it’s safe to say that the G-Slate is basically a super-sized T-Mobile G2x since it incorporates most of its design attributes. However, we have to say that it’s far more comfortable to hold than the Motorola XOOM primarily because of its soft touch rear panel and curved edges. Moreover, the soft touch surface does an exceptionally better job at keeping it looking clean and repelling the usual set of nasty baddies. Strangely though, the bezel outlining the 8.9” display isn’t uniform around, and instead, it’s moderately wider on the left and right sides – thus making it almost as wide as the Motorola XOOM. Regardless of that, its accompanying weight (21.87 oz) complements its overall solid build and exudes a premium feel in the hand.

The T-Mobile G-Slate is comfortable to hold because of its soft touch rear panel and curved edges

There’s no hiding the fact that the G-Slate’s 8.9” capacitive touchscreen is moderately higher quality than what’s used on the Motorola XOOM, but upon turning it on for the very first time, it’s instantly recognizable. Gladly accepting its 1280 x 768 resolution, it’s able to muster some crisp and sharp visuals that make it satisfyingly agreeable to read out even the most miniscule of on-screen text. Additionally, it exhibits brighter tones over the XOOM that make colors come to life and pop with luminance at almost every angle. And honestly, you won’t have to worry much in attempting to use it outdoors under the eye of the sun since its high brightness output enables it to still be visible in almost any condition. To sum it up completely, the T-Mobile G-Slate’s display is undoubtedly superior on so many levels.

Viewing angles

Color production

Unlike most things, the G-Slate’s front-facing 2-megapixel camera is tucked away in the upper left corner of the display – which works well if you happen to use it in portrait. In spite of that, it’s offset from what we’re familiar with and has an unusual perspective when using it in landscape.

The 2MP front-facing camera of the T-Mobile G-Slate

Taking a peek at the left edge of the tablet, we find its proprietary charging port, 3.5mm headset jack, speaker, and dedicated power button. Now even though it’s located in a convenient and accessible area, it’s a little bit on the flat side, but exhibits a moderate response when pressed.

The left edge

Oppositely, we locate an additional two speakers on the right side of the tablet that essentially offers stereo support if you hold the tablet in either orientation. Since the speakers are positioned directly on the outer edge of its bezel, there’s a tendency to accidentally cover them with our palms while holding the tablet in landscape – thus reducing its output.

On the right side are the two additional speakers

Similar to the power button, the volume rocker is rather flat, but there’s still a moderate response to it when it’s pressed down all the way. In addition, the microphone is placed nearby the volume rocker on the top edge of the G-Slate.

The top edge of the T-Mobile G-Slate

Meanwhile, the bottom edge lays claim to a few connection ports – which include things like the HDMI-out port, pin connectors for a dock, and microUSB port. Interestingly enough, you can use the included microUSB to USB adapter to charge other devices on the go; like your smartphone.

The bottom edge

Finally, count not one, but two 5-megapixel auto-focus cameras that are positioned at the same level to one another in the rear – with the LED close-by and the metallic strip separating the two. Obviously, the two cameras work in tandem to offer 3D video recording at 720p, but you can obtain 1080p for normal recording. Strangely enough, the packaging mentions that the battery is “preinstalled,” which, it turns out, means you’re locked out from getting to it. However, one of the sides is able to come off and provides access to its SIM card slot and manual reset button.

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1.AppleFUD (unregistered)

Requiring glasses for 3D on a tablet = FAIL!

Google still needs to step it up on Honeycomb. I'm surprised that they haven't had a major update yet. . . only one minor one. The browser is a ways off from the desktop version of Chrome and that's what they "advertised" when Honeycomb first hit the market--just check the desktop version of Google docs on it. . . not good.

I dont mind that it requires glasses. I just think its odd that they went with the red/blue style instead of the newer style found in theaters. I guess it was a development cost thing, but for that price i would have expected better.

Other than that, the tablet is fantastic. Ive been messing with it for over a week now. :)

I love Android, but the one thing I can see from all of these Android tablets is that Google and the manufacturers have yet to produce a "smooth as silk" UI like the ipad and ipad 2.

This is another reason why I just bought the Playbook. I played around with the UI and tried my hardest to get some lag, but it never happened. Sure it might not have native email or calender (yet) but constant UI lag frustration is where the Android Tabs (and phones) are let down.. I mean, FFS, dual core should be making a massive difference for Android, but in the real world, its not..

This review is just another disappointment, but reminds me that I made the right decision ordering the Playbook.

The reason why iPad produces "smooth as silk" UI is that it stops processing when you touch the screen. Having said that, I have to agree with you because to a normal consumer useability beats functionality. Android devices are used to telling people "We have dual core, 3D camera, this and that.." while in fact all the consumers care about is what can their device do rather than what it has. Maybe the secret to this is on the advertising of Android products in which Apple has done an incredible Jobs. I mean job.

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